Program description

The Global Political Economy program is a unique interdisciplinary approach for the study of international political, social, environmental, and economic issues. It brings together faculty and course offerings across five disciplines to give you a superb education in global political economic relations, and their effects on local communities. The program integrates courses in Political Studies, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, and History, and for Advanced degree students, two core courses in Global Political Economy.

Program options

Degree options

B.A. Global Political Economy – 3 years
B.A. Global Political Economy (Advanced) – 4 years

Interesting courses and unique opportunities

 Interesting courses

• Globalization and the World System
• World Economies 
• Introduction to Modern World History 
• International Political Economy 
• Power, Politics, and the Welfare State 
• International Relations 
• Women in Cross Cultural Perspective 
• Ecology and Society

Professional opportunities

• Labour relations officer
• Economist
• Political scientist
• Historian
• Sociologist 
• Anthropologist
  

Many students go on to graduate school (either in a multidisciplinary program at places like the London School of Economics or the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa, or into one of the five disciplines that collaborate on the GPE curriculum). A number of others go on into professional programs such as law, city planning, journalism, or business.

Admission requirements & prerequisites

Direct entry option

1. Manitoba high school graduation, with five full credits at the Grade 12 level, in courses designated S, G or U.
2. A minimum 85% average over the following, with no less than 60% in each course:

• English 40S
• A second 40S or 40U course
• A third 40S or 40U course 

This entry option is open to high school students or high school graduates who have not completed any university or college courses. Specific program requirements will vary; details of these requirements are available on each program’s application page.

Advanced entry option

This entry option is open to students who have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours of university level study. Specific program requirements will vary; details of these requirements are available on each program’s application page.

High school prerequisites

High school prerequisites: none

Many programs will require or recommend specific high school courses over and above their admission requirements. These high school prerequisites are not always required to enter the program, but they must be completed to enrol in certain university courses within it. If a student does not have a particular prerequisite when they enter the program, they may complete an equivalent upgrading course at university that will satisfy the prerequisite requirement.

More details on admission requirements, application dates and how to apply is available on the Faculty of Arts apply for admission page.

What is unique about this program at the U of M?

The University of Manitoba’s Global Political Economy is a unique undergraduate program among Canadian universities. It balances a commitment to interdisciplinary education and political economy with a rigourous, coherent set of core and elective courses. Our goal is to give students the tools to analyze how global political and economic forces shape local circumstances. Students are encouraged to ask questions that matter to them, and develop the theoretical and applied skills to answer them.

Important links

Faculty of Arts
Global Political Economy